15 Recipes for the Ultimate Christmas Steak Dinner

Need a break from prime rib and ham?

While most people will choose to stick with tradition for Christmas dinner, there are no rules about what you have to serve during the holidays. For a celebratory meal that's a little different, consider a Christmas steak.

The star of this menu is—obviously—a perfectly seared chop, but like any good holiday meal, sides are equally important. Find accompaniments that'll pair wonderfully with your meaty entree, from soups and salads to the all-important potato sides. Since this is also the season of indulgences, scrumptious desserts and a couple cocktails are a must as well.

Steak is the featured entree for this menu and it's often best to keep the recipe simple. The key to making your dinner special is to choose a great cut, so you have an excuse to splurge on a prime filet mignon, rib-eye, or T-bone.

Contrary to popular belief, cooking a steakhouse-style steak doesn't require a grill, either. It can be done in your kitchen, seared on the stovetop and finished in the oven. It's easier than you may think— especially with a few helpful tips and a meat thermometer.

While your steak will be delicious unadorned, you may want to offer guests a seasonal topping and this garlic-sage butter is absolutely perfect for the occasion. It's easy to make, requires no cooking, and is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

Starting any steak dinner off with a side of greens is a great way to go. For this special occasion, go with an upgraded bistro salad with warm goat cheese croutes. It's a French classic and the fried cheese is coated with panko, serving as a nice contrast to the dressed lettuce.

Potato and leek soup is a favorite for winter months and a comforting way to kick of your meal. It requires just a few ingredients to create a creamy texture that's simply irresistible. Better yet, you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat just before dinner.

A fresh fruit salad can be light and refreshing before a meat-heavy meal. This Christmas Eve combo is a tradition in Mexico and a great complement to steak. Filled with beets, lettuce, apples, pineapple, orange, lime, and pomegranate, the dish is quite unique.

A fun idea that can really set your steak dinner apart is to serve mini quiches. These little bites can take the place of bread and be served throughout the meal, either as part of the soup and salad course or to accompany the main entree. The recipe is simple, calling for store-bought pie crusts to be filled with a cheesy, mushroom-studded custard.

It may surprise you that a homemade French onion soup requires only five ingredients—including the sliced bread on top! The soup itself is made with sautéed onions and beef broth, then adorned in the bowl with toasted French bread and cheese. It's not too hearty, leaving plenty of room for the main course.

Winter is the season when cabbage is at its best. Take advantage by whipping a tempting gratin. It's an ideal side for steak and can be baked while you're cooking the meat so everything is ready for the table at the same time.

Steak and spuds are a natural pairing. If you go with the cheesy cabbage dish, it would be best to keep the potato side simple. That's where this recipe can come into play. The cubes are slow-roasted with a flavorful mix of basil, thyme, and garlic. The leftovers will be great for breakfast, too!

Homemade bread is great for the holidays, but if you're looking for something that's special and (surprisingly) easier to make, try these sweet potato biscuits. Even new bakers can pull off this recipe and the combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and allspice is both appropriate for the holidays and tasty with a well-cooked steak.

Holiday desserts can be as decadent as you like and few recipes can beat this chocolate candy cane cake. It features tender layers with a candy cane-studded buttercream in between, plus a frosting that's infused with mint chocolate as well. It's an absolutely delicious way to finish off your meal.

Another sweet idea that's ideal for the holidays is a rich and creamy custard. The snickerdoodle crème brûlée is a fun twist on the traditional steakhouse dessert and rather simple to make since you only need a handful of pantry staples for the recipe. Guests will love the cinnamon flavor reminiscent of snickerdoodle cookies. The caramelized sugar on top finishes this lovely dessert off with sophisticated perfection.

A steak dinner is a great excuse to mix up an impressive cocktail. For whiskey lovers, the Rustic Manhattan is an excellent choice. This simple twist on the classic drink uses apple whiskey and a raspberry-infused vermouth. The fruits are a refreshing complement to red meat and all the delicious sides.

Gin is an excellent dinner companion and pomegranates are among the season's peak fruit. The two come together in this lovely Pomegranate Gin Fizz. The gin is accented with pomegranate liqueur and lavender syrup. You can add an egg white for a frothy top or keep it simple with soda. Be sure to garnish with pomegranate seeds for a festive touch.